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Wang TN, Woelfel IA, Huang E, Pieper H, Meara MP, Chen X(P. Behind the pattern: General surgery residsent autonomy in robotic surgery. Heliyon 2024; 10:e31691. [PMID: 38841510 PMCID: PMC11152925 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e31691] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2023] [Revised: 05/12/2024] [Accepted: 05/20/2024] [Indexed: 06/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Objective Robotic surgery is increasingly utilized and common in general surgery training programs. This study sought to better understand the factors that influence resident operative autonomy in robotic surgery. We hypothesized that resident seniority, surgeon work experience, surgeon robotic-assisted surgery (RAS) case volume, and procedure type influence general surgery residents' opportunities for autonomy in RAS as measured by percentage of resident individual console time (ICT). Methods General surgery resident ICT data for robotic cholecystectomy (RC), inguinal hernia (RIH), and ventral hernia (RVH) operations performed on the dual-console Da Vinci surgical robotic system between July 2019 and June 2021 were extracted. Cases with postgraduate year (PGY) 2-5 residents participating as a console surgeon were included. A sequential explanatory mixed-methods approach was undertaken to explore the ICT results and we conducted secondary qualitative interviews with surgeons. Descriptive statistics and thematic analysis were applied. Results Resident ICT data from 420 robotic cases (IH 200, RC 121, and VH 99) performed by 20 junior residents (PGY2-3), 18 senior residents (PGY4-5), and 9 attending surgeons were extracted. The average ICT per case was 26.8 % for junior residents and 42.4 % for senior residents. Compared to early-career surgeons, surgeons with over 10 years' work experience gave less ICT to junior (18.2 % vs. 32.0 %) and senior residents (33.9 % vs. 56.6 %) respectively. Surgeons' RAS case volume had no correlation with resident ICT (r = 0.003, p = 0.0003). On average, residents had the most ICT in RC (45.8 %), followed by RIH (36.7 %) and RVH (28.6 %). Interviews with surgeons revealed two potential reasons for these resident ICT patterns: 1) Surgeon assessment of resident training year/experience influenced decisions to grant ICT; 2) Surgeons' perceived operative time pressure inversely affected resident ICT. Conclusions This study suggests resident ICT/autonomy in RC, RIH, and RVH are influenced by resident seniority level, surgeon work experience, and procedure type, but not related to surgeon RAS case volume. Design and implementation of an effective robotic training program must consider the external pressures at conflict with increased resident operative autonomy and seek to mitigate them.
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Affiliation(s)
- Theresa N. Wang
- The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Department of Surgery, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Ingrid A. Woelfel
- The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Department of Surgery, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Emily Huang
- The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Department of Surgery, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Heidi Pieper
- The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Department of Surgery, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Michael P. Meara
- The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Department of Surgery, Columbus, OH, USA
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Li RD, Pillado E, DiLosa K, Chia MC, Visenio M, Zhan T, Eng JS, Amortegui D, Johnson JK, Sheahan MG, Bilimoria KY, Hu YY, Coleman DM. Perception of shared learning environment differs between vascular surgery and general surgery residents. J Vasc Surg 2024; 79:1224-1232. [PMID: 38070784 DOI: 10.1016/j.jvs.2023.12.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2023] [Revised: 11/30/2023] [Accepted: 12/04/2023] [Indexed: 02/03/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND An enriching learning environment is integral to resident wellness and education. Integrated vascular (VS) and general surgery (GS) residents share 18 months of core GS rotations during the postgraduate years 1-3 (PGY1-3); differences in their experiences may help identify practical levers for change. METHODS We used a convergent mixed-methods design. Cross-sectional surveys were administered after the 2020 American Board of Surgery In-Training Examination and Vascular Surgery In-Training Examination, assessing eight domains of the learning environment and resident wellness. Multivariable logistic regression models identified factors associated with thoughts of attrition between categorical PGY1-3 residents at 57 institutions with both GS and VS programs. Resident focus groups were conducted during the 2022 Vascular Annual Meeting to elicit more granular details about the experience of the learning environment. Transcripts were analyzed using inductive and deductive logics until thematic saturation was achieved. RESULTS Surveys were completed by 205 VS and 1198 GS PGY1-3 residents (response rates 76.8% for VS and 82.5% for GS). After adjusting for resident demographics, PGY level, and program type, GS residents were more likely than their VS peers to consider leaving their programs (odds ratio [OR]: 2.61, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.37-4.99). This finding did not persist after adjusting for differences in perceptions of the learning environment, specifically: GS residents had higher odds of mistreatment (OR: 1.99, 95% CI: 1.36-2.90), poorer work-life integration (OR: 2.88, 95% CI: 1.41-5.87), less resident camaraderie (OR: 3.51, 95% CI: 2.26-5.45), and decreased meaning in work (OR: 2.94, 95% CI: 1.80-4.83). Qualitative data provided insight into how the shared learning environment was perceived differently: (1) vascular trainees expressed that early specialization and a smaller, more invested faculty allow for an apprenticeship model with early operative exposure, hands-on guidance, frequent feedback, and thus early skill acquisition (meaning in work); (2) a smaller program is conducive to closer relationships with co-residents and faculty, increasing familiarity (camaraderie and work-life integration); and (3) due to increased familiarity with program leadership, vascular trainees feel more comfortable reporting mistreatment, allowing for prompt responses (mistreatment). CONCLUSIONS Despite sharing a learning environment, VS and GS residents experience training differently, contributing to differential thoughts of attrition. These differences may be attributable to intrinsic features of the integrated training paradigm that are not easily replicated by GS programs, such as smaller program size and higher faculty investment due to early specialization. Alternative strategies to compensate for these inherent differences should be considered (eg, structured operative entrustment programs and faculty incentivization).
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruojia Debbie Li
- Division of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, Department of Surgery, Loyola University Medical Center, Maywood, IL; Northwestern Quality Improvement, Research, and Education in Surgery (NQUIRES), Department of Surgery, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL
| | - Eric Pillado
- Northwestern Quality Improvement, Research, and Education in Surgery (NQUIRES), Department of Surgery, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL
| | - Kathryn DiLosa
- Department of Surgery, University of California Davis, Sacramento, CA
| | - Matthew C Chia
- Northwestern Quality Improvement, Research, and Education in Surgery (NQUIRES), Department of Surgery, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL
| | - Michael Visenio
- Northwestern Quality Improvement, Research, and Education in Surgery (NQUIRES), Department of Surgery, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL
| | - Tiannan Zhan
- Northwestern Quality Improvement, Research, and Education in Surgery (NQUIRES), Department of Surgery, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL
| | - Joshua S Eng
- Surgical Outcomes and Quality Improvement Center, Indiana University, Indianapolis, IN
| | - Daniela Amortegui
- Surgical Outcomes and Quality Improvement Center, Indiana University, Indianapolis, IN
| | - Julie K Johnson
- Northwestern Quality Improvement, Research, and Education in Surgery (NQUIRES), Department of Surgery, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL
| | - Malachi G Sheahan
- Division of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, Louisiana State University, New Orleans, LA
| | - Karl Y Bilimoria
- Surgical Outcomes and Quality Improvement Center, Indiana University, Indianapolis, IN
| | - Yue-Yung Hu
- Surgical Outcomes and Quality Improvement Center, Indiana University, Indianapolis, IN; Division of Pediatric Surgery, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital, Chicago, IL
| | - Dawn M Coleman
- Division of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, Duke University, Durham, NC.
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